I thought it would be useful/interesting to put together a thread comparing the three along with the graphs and pictures shown below.
My personal favorite is the #6 and probably will be for awhile to come until the M8 proves itself as a reliable drive that can handle serious power without backing down. Anyone else have a preferance or favorite and personal experience with duribility/performance?

Dry Sump NXT
Torque rating up to 800 ft. lbs
Rear mounted water pick-up in torpedo gearcase
Stainless steel propshaft and hub adapters to allow for various types of props
Comes in either right or left-hand rotation in gear ratios of: 1.61:1, 1.49:1, 1.35:1, 1.24:1 and 1.15:1







"The Standard" #6 drive
Forged lower-unit gears
1160+ FT/TQ rating
Internal hydraulic power steering cylinders






M8
Has up to 35% more power capacity then a 6 drive
Two inches shorter with a lower center of gravity
then a #6 unit
Dry sump hydraulic transmission
Oil bathed lower drive cavity
Propshaft driven oil pump sprays upper drive gears.

Great post! Where did you get the cutaway picture of the #6 drive? I wonder if there is a similar one floating around of the M8 that shows the upper gear set as well?

Believe me when I say it's not lie that I cant remember exactly when and where I got a hold of that cut away #6 picture but its here none the less.

As for the M8 upper section, I beleive its very similar to the #6 in terms of construction. And if I remember correctly, the #6 actually has a few percent LESS parasidic loss then an M8 due to the design and different parts however the M8 obviously can handle more power over longer periods of time compareably.

pretty sure the NXT and M8 are identical uppers. just diff lowers.

Cool!

8 just has shorter shafts on the gear assemblies, less stress and torque but other than that same design and technology of the 6

Actually, the #6 and NXT use the same upper gear sets. The M8 has different upper gear sets, that are stronger. The NXT & M8 do use the same transom assemblies, gimbal and steering.

GF?

much bigger in the propshaft bullet area.

The M8 is beefier ill give them that. All these still share the
same principle. Too may right angles.

Nice images cam!

Very nice post,.....look foward to the information also.

Jon